Neighbor raises flooding concerns as Honey Creek Section 3 wins conditional approval

The drainage board gave conditional approval to Honey Creek Farms Section 3, with the county surveyor and staff listing five conditions including removal of any trail from the regulated easement, outlet structures set back at least 25 feet from top of bank, armored waterway connections, a construction bond for work in the easement and 48 hours' notice before entering the easement for construction.

Kevin Sumner of Y Engineers and Greg Ventner of Lennar Homes presented the plan and said they will remove a small asphalt path where it encroached into the regulated drain and will provide the required headwall and erosion protection. Lennar asked the surveyor to coordinate with Greenwood for a conditional release while the final construction bond and documents are completed; the surveyor said staff would work with Greenwood on release timing.

During public comment, resident Mickey Wolseffer, who lives immediately east of the project at 1482 West Smoky Row Road, said road elevation work several years ago has increased flooding onto his front yard and that water now reaches within about 20 feet of his house. Wolseffer asked whether the developer or the project design could help reduce water in his yard. Lennar and the engineers said the construction plans include yard inlets and storm connections, and they offered to coordinate with the resident and county staff to review the downstream capacity and any opportunities to tie into planned storm improvements in later project sections.

The board approved conditional final approval with the five conditions; the applicant must submit bonds and final construction documents for the work that affects the regulated drain before full release.